Reviewing the Research Landscape of Online Scarcity Messages

Snehasish Banerjee, Anjan Pal*, Ariadne Kapetanaki

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Many e-commerce platforms such as Amazon and Booking.com use scarcity messages, which refer to promotional cues that nudge consumers’ purchase decisions. While scarcity marketing has long existed in brick-and-mortar settings, its presence in the online setting has changed the dynamics of consumers’ online shopping experiences. However, the literature on online scarcity messages lacks a unified conceptual framework. Therefore, this paper reports a review of this emerging marketing phenomenon. Specifically, it aims to identify the various independent variables, dependent variables, moderators, and mediators studied with respect to online scarcity marketing. The review included 43 articles reporting empirical studies in English. The key predictors in the literature include exposure to online scarcity messages and perceived scarcity. The outcomes belong to three groups: perceptions, intentions, and actual behaviors. The moderators are either contextual or individual factors. All the mediators are related to perceptions. Besides developing a unified conceptual framework of online scarcity messages, the review identifies a tension between marketers’ interest in conversion and consumers’ priority of wellbeing. Implications for marketing research and practice are highlighted.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAcademy of Marketing Science (AMS) World Marketing Congress (WMC)
Subtitle of host publicationBringing the Soul Back to Marketing
PublisherSpringer Cham
Pages11-19
Number of pages9
ISBN (Electronic)978-3-031-53286-3
ISBN (Print)978-3-031-53288-7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 16 Mar 2024
EventProceedings of the Academy of Marketing Science (AMS) World Marketing Congress (WMC) - , United Kingdom
Duration: 11 Jul 202314 Jul 2023

Conference

ConferenceProceedings of the Academy of Marketing Science (AMS) World Marketing Congress (WMC)
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
Period11/07/2314/07/23

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